Every Christian must face the reality of temptation.

Romans 7:24  “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

 You will face temptation in this world until your salvation is completed.  Let me explain.  When you were born again, God saved you to the uttermost.  You will never be more saved than you were at the moment you trusted Christ.  Nevertheless, full salvation takes place in three parts:

  1. Salvation – Past – Saved from the penalty of sin.  
  2. Sanctification – Present – Saved from the power of sin.  
  3. Glorification – Future – Saved from the presence of sin.

Learning these three words will help us understand temptation and how to fight it.

Salvation

Many incredible things happened when you put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Saviour.  Your sins were forgiven.  You were born into the family of God.  You were sealed with the Holy Spirit. Your place in Heaven was reserved.  Your eternal inheritance was reserved.  This list of God’s goodness toward us through salvation is far too extensive for us to list here.

At salvation, you were saved from the penalty of sin, but your redeemed soul still lives in a fleshly body that has sinful desires.  You have two natures battling for control.  That’s why we face temptation. 

Sanctification

Sanctification takes place in the present.  God saves you from the power of sin.  Through salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit within, you can break the chains of sin.  As you submit to the Scripture and the promptings of the Spirit, you will become more like God and less like the world.  You must say “no” to your flesh and “yes” to God.  

Glorification

Glorification will take place in the future when you go to Heaven.  God will save you from the very presence of sin as you shed this robe of flesh and rise to seize your everlasting prize!

All temptation will be left behind.  Think of it! Never again will you fight the lusts of the flesh and the mind.  Never again will you succumb to devilish temptation. Never again will you disappoint the Saviour.  You will be like Him for you will see Him as He is.  At that moment your salvation will be complete, and you will ever be with the Lord.  What a day that will be!

Temptation is a battle that you must face, but it is a battle that you can win.  You will learn in the coming days just how thoroughly God has equipped you for victory.  Take a deep breath right now realizing that you can be the Christian that you have always dreamed of being.  You can have godly character.  You can make a difference in other people’s lives.  

You’ve taken the first step to the rest of your life.  Surrender to God today and decide to follow through this series for the next 29 days. 

[callout]“Heavenly Father, Thank you for saving me to the uttermost. I’m glad to know that I have been saved, I am being sanctified, and I will be glorified. Help me learn to say “NO” to temptation so I can please You. Empower me to finish this booklet and follow through with what I learn. Amen.”[/callout]

Today’s Bible Reading:  Romans 7:1-14